Experiencing Interruptions?

THE SHADOW PANDEMIC

During the lockdown of Covid-19 a young mother becomes a victim of sexual abuse. As best as she can, she tries to keep her dark secret from her son.

  • Marius Staubach
    Director
  • Marius Staubach
    Writer
  • Johannes Laidler
    Producer
  • Naomi O'Taylor
    Key Cast
    "Irene"
  • Max Rodriguez
    Key Cast
    "Niklas"
  • Michael Jamak
    Key Cast
    "Michael"
  • Johannes Laidler
    Director of Photography
  • Parzival Borlinghausen
    Crew
  • Nora Hein
    Crew
  • Dominik Ramsteck
    Gaffer
  • Thomas Jacob
    Editor
  • Christoph Mysiakowski
    Production Sound Mixer
  • Marc Lehnert
    Sound Designer
  • Rebecca Bader
    Set Design
  • Marco Braitmaier
    Assistant production manager
  • Nadine Fischer
    Make-Up
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    SCHATTENPANDEMIE
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 58 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 2, 2022
  • Country of Origin:
    Germany
  • Country of Filming:
    Germany
  • Language:
    German
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Biberacher Filmfestpiele
    Biberach
    Germany
    November 2, 2022
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Filmschau Baden-Württemberg
    Stuttgart
    Germany
    December 8, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Nahia Filmfest
    Granada
    Spain
    December 13, 2022
    Spanish Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Internationale Grenzland-Filmtage
    Selb, Aš, Regensburg
    Germany
    April 14, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Grand OFF
    Warsaw
    Poland
    December 2, 2023
    Nomination "Best Actress"
  • Ibadan international Film festival
    Ibadan
    Nigeria
    Best Child Actor Male
  • IE international Short Film Festival
    Madrid
    Spain
    May 10, 2023
    Official Selection
  • PrevYou
    Berlin
    Germany
    June 17, 2023
    Official Selection
  • SWIFF 2023
    Waldwick
    United States
    Honorable Mention
  • FilmFest Altenburg
    Altenburg
    Germany
    October 8, 2023
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Marius Staubach

Marius Staubach is an ambitous filmmaker from Berlin, Germany. Both in his youth and after graduating in "filmdirecting" he shot lots of shortfilms, like "THE BUTCHERS EARS" which was presented on multiple filmfestivals worldwide. In his films he often deals with critical issues and gives a voice to marginalized groups. Marius is active as assistant director, script editor, musician and co-operator of an independant arthouse cinema in Berlin.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Domestic violence is ugly and is very often unnoticed. Victims rarely manage to free themselves from their precarious situation by themselves. The lockdown in spring 2020 and the confinement that came with it, has caused a significant increase in the number of cases of domestic violence worldwide. With our film we wanted to show the hidden reality of many victims and make it possible to experience their silent suffering. It was important for us to let the story take place in an environment that is not necessarily associated with violence, because domestic violence takes place everywhere, even where you don't expect it.

<german version>

Häusliche Gewalt ist hässlich und bleibt sehr oft unbemerkt. Zu selten schaffen es die Opfer sich aus eigener Kraft aus ihrer heiklen Situation zu befreien. Der Lockdown im Frühjahr 2020 und das damit einhergehende Eingesperrtsein hat für einen beachtlichen Anstieg an Fallzahlen häuslicher Gewalt weltweit gesorgt. Mit unserem Film wollten wir exemplarisch die verstecke Lebensrealität vieler Opfer aufzeigen und deren stilles Leid erfahrbar machen. Dabei war uns wichtig, die Geschichte in einem Milieu spielen zu lassen, das nicht zwangsläufig sofort mit Gewalt assoziiert wird, denn häusliche Gewalt findet überall statt, auch da wo man es nicht erwartet.